GWA (Progressive Team) Candidates Nov. 2011

Our GWA Mission Statement To work together as your G-8 representatives to create a world class WWI reenactment experience that considers member feedback, authentic uses and maintenance of GWA property and holds accountable, we, your G-8 representatives, to accurately represent you the membership

Our GWA Vision To allow for membership participation to develop and maintain a WWI focused reenactment culture where member feedback is encouraged and solicited to provide for site development, site maintenance, and an authentic recreation of a WWI combat environment

Background Work - Honda Research and Development for 20 years - managing Senior Engineer. GWA Experience Registered member since 1996 GWA Positions Held - Unit Member, Unit Commander Candidate - Bill Cash – GWA President Objective In the coming years, the GWA needs strong business minded leadership to move our hobby forward and develop the GWA site. The G8 must listen to and work for the GWA membership. The goal must be for us all to have a safe and enjoyable hobby. To do this, we need to develop a clear plan and timely schedule to move the organization forward. It is imperative that the GWA membership be kept informed of our progress through timely reports. Personal Philosophy Leadership is more than having good ideas. It is listening to you. It is focusing the efforts of those who will serve. It is being a good communicator, getting along with people, being a diplomat and a cheerleader for the hobby.

Candidate - Shawn Roberts – GWA VP Background Education – BS History Military Experience - US Army - Infantry Officer 1996 to present Work – CEO - Decks and Docks Lumber Company - 9 locations GWA Experience GWA Member since 1996 GWA Positions Held - Unit Founder, Member, Commander. BEF Platoon Sgt, BEF Company Sgt. Major Objective I feel that my civilian and military careers contains skills and talents that can contribute to good and thoughtful administration of the GWA. In my business role I have attained considerable experience in dealing with State and local governments, contract law, real estate purchases, and accounting principles. We have a myriad of possibilities that are within our grasp that would retain Great War reenacting’s reputation as the “reenactor’s reenactment”. I want to be a part of the decision making process, representing you, as we go forward, to uphold our tradition of a quality reenactment experience Personal Philosophy I, like you, come to every event rain or shine (sans past deployments). I happily attempt to give the men in the BEF, and the Germans across from us, the best experience possible. I want to continue to do that on a larger scale as the VP of the GWA.

Candidate - Eugene Poplavsky – GWA Secretary Background Education – BA Russian Literature and History, Masters of Business Administration Work – Project Manager, Johnson Building Group – a premier Ann Arbor, Michigan builder, developer and real estate broker company. GWA Experience Member of the GWA and Russian Legion Unit Commander since Objective As the Secretary of the organization, I will strive to compile all pertinent past GWA documents as well as all present minutes into a compendium accessible for review by every member of organization. I will make sure that the information flow is timely and transparent. Most importantly, that the membership, through the Unit Commanders will be aware at all times of the issues the organization is facing and that the G-8 will be accessible to membership at large for their concerns. Personal Philosophy Strive for creating the most authentic reenactment experience that we can and continue to build upon our collective history as an organization. We are members of a phenomenal, one-of- a-kind organization and should strive to make it better..

Candidate – Chris Garcia – GWA Treasurer Background Education – BA, MA History Military Experience - US Navy Aviation Maintenance & Data Analysis/System Administration Work – Education Coordinator, Virginia War Museum GWA Experience Member of the GWA since 2001 GWA Positions Held - Unit Member, Unit Founder/Commander, GWA Registrar Objective To serve the GWA community and enhance the experience for all of our members Personal Philosophy To step up and do what needs to be done for the better good. Somebody has to do that which no one else wants to, so we can all have a rewarding experience. I am committed to excellence, authenticity and fair play.

Candidate – Jim Higgenbottom – Allied Representative Background Education – BA History and German, Juris Doctorate Work – Managing Attorney, Alliance Legal Group, Newport News, Virginia. GWA Experience Member of the GWA since 2004 GWA Positions Held - Unit Commander, Guards Division BEF/Commonwealth Company Commander Allied Representative since 2009 Objective It is my goal to bring further professionalism to the Great War Association, in order to maximize the use of our assets, most especially our property and the expertise of our membership. As Allied Representative and member of the G-8 I will to strive to use feedback from our allied membership to make sure our organization makes the best use of our assets in a manner that excites the membership and improves our living history experience. Personal Philosophy Great War reenacting has the reputation of being the “reenactor’s reenacting”. The only way we can maintain that fine reputation is by striving to make each event better than the last.

Candidate – Jon Kulaga – Allied Combat Commander Background Education - BA History Military Experience - U.S. Army - Armor Officer Work - Senior Sourcing Manager, Fortune 100 Company GWA Experience Registered member since 1995 GWA Positions Held - Unit Member (4 years), Unit Commander (4 years), G-8 Allied Representative (4 years), Allied Battalion Adjutant (8 years) Objective As Allied Combat Commander, my focus will be to continue to strive for creating an authentic WWI combat environment for every event. I will work to maximize event time for combat scenarios that consider not only historical accuracy but also consider you the reenactor and your feedback. I will also work with all members to create, develop and maintain the Caesar Krauss Great War Memorial Site to standards that provide for documented WWI authenticity. Personal Philosophy Reenacting WWI has been and will continue to be my only reenactment focus. All members should consider their individual as well as unit authenticity, safety and fun in everything GWA experience we have together

Please Consider Your GWA Election Choices Based on Facts - Please Contact any of the GWA Progressive Team Candidates If You have Any Questions On What We Represent and How We Will Represent You! Bill Cash - Candidate for GWA President - Shawn Roberts - Candidate for GWA Vice President - Eugene Poplavsky - Candidate for GWA Secretary - Chris Garcia - Candidate for GWA Treasurer - Jim Higgenbottom - Candidate for GWA Allied Representative - Jon Kulaga - Candidate for GWA Allied Combat Commander -